Coloured steel work also acts as an orientating device that is legible both in the broader context of the city and from within the building. The building, straddling a major highway, looks out to a large area of open land. The design creates ‘fingers’ of landscaped parkland which extend right into the heart of the building.

The new Law Courts for the City of Antwerp were formally opened on 28 March 2006 by King Albert II of Belgium.

City and Context

The newly formed Bolivarsplaats provides public space immediately in front of the building. The motorway has been diverted to run underneath the Law Courts and square allowing pedestrian routes through the city and a new tram-line to run into the square.

Legibility

The building has responded to the brief of making justice more transparent providing an accessible space built on a human scale that is unintimidating and easy to navigate.

Energy

The bold use of sculpted and densely-planted landscaping will shield the courts from the noise and air pollution from the surrounding major road arteries.